Honoring Our Heritage

This blog is for those who also consider it important to share those characteristics of our forefathers and foremothers which make us special and take us beyond the basic mammals of the World. Remembering these aspects of our personal history should make us feel more responsible and respectful of all our family and the family of mankind as well.

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Saturday, March 18, 2017

For everyone who wondered if they are related to someone who came to America aboard the Mayflower, and for history buffs world wide, my new book, MAYFLOWER VOYAGE, An Historical Treatise should satisfy each and everyone of you.

Also, a terrific choice for all school aged youngsters, whether home schooled, public or parochial schooled. Included are two letters from teenager Lizzy (Elizabeth Tilley-see her statue at the Mayflower Museum @ Plymouth), who wrote from aboard ship and once landed to her Aunt still in England.

For you ancestry/genealogy buffs, every passenger is profiled with as much information as is available for the telling and maiden names are listed as well for the wives. Also, for those who need DNA profiles, they too are available from the men listed who it is known have lineage alive today.

All information is referenced for checking and further exploring more details for those so inclined.

This was an enlightening experience and one I know you too will enjoy. Available Wednesday, March 1st, 2017 on Amazon under Kathleen Boston McCune, author.

Monday, September 26, 2016

PIONEERS WITH PURPOSE is an epic story, based on an actual family history, which has been skilfully brought to life by the talented author Kathleen Boston McCune. The chief protagonists, Serena and Perry Campbell have been aiding escaped slaves flee from the oppression of the South at the advent of the Civil War. Now fearing retribution from southern, pro slavery, sympathizers, they set out to make a new life in Kansas.

R.L. Bartram

This book is written with such exquisite detail, deftly creating a “spirit of place”, that I was instantly transported back in time to the world of the pioneer. The descriptions of what they ate, how they dressed, what they thought and the hardships they endured are so realistically portrayed that I felt I was making the journey with them. I was particularly taken with Serena Campbell, whose stoic outlook and cheerful nature, even after the tragic loss of three children, bound the story together. Her devotion to her husband, family neighbours and friends, despite the many hardships of the trail is both heart warming and inspirational. As seen through the eyes of the pioneer families this book covers one of the most significant periods of American history, in essence, the birth of a nation, from the gradual dispossession of the native people, the destruction of the buffalo herds, to the coming of the railway and the building of frontier towns to great cities.

PIONEERS WITH PURPOSE is an engrossing read, whilst being both educational and entertaining. As an author of historical fiction based on fact, I can truly appreciate the fine detail that makes this book stand out from the crowd. I am normally a fast reader, but I took my time with this one because there was so much to absorb and it was well worth it.

I can thoroughly recommend PIONEERS WITH PURPOSE, not only to devotees of history, but to anyone who enjoys a well written family saga. If this isn’t already on your “Must Read” list, then add it now.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

PIONEERS WITH PURPOSE is the true story of two families who after helping slaves escape the South just prior to the Civil War, moved to escape death themselves in Southern Missouri, and then after the war, moved to Kansas to Homestead land for themselves and their progeny.

My Foreward explains best from whence the book evolved:

Campbell's brick home in Ellsworth, KS 1874.

"I want to dedicate
this book, (which as closely follows actual facts as possible), to those gutsy,
hardworking, patient, God and family loving forefathers and foremothers who
dared to begin anew in a land filled with the unknown, of hostile Indians,
prairie fires, and mostly bereft of timber (their known touchstone). I am so proud to be a part of the family who
followed the dictates of their hearts and souls and guidance of the Bible to
govern their lives and how they lived them.
This is dedicated more specifically to the Campbell and Johnson families
who left a lucrative living selling their Peach Brandy to New Orleans. For them it was necessary to leave their
peach groves in Southern Missouri to save the lives of their immediate families
from Separatists during the Civil War, who would insure they no longer assist
the Slaves escaping from their Owners, who would pay for the death of those
aiding them in their escape.

Though they would never brag of
their exploits or self-sacrificing acts of kindness, feeling their actions were
merely what any humane person would do, they nevertheless had to leave a way of
life they found comfortable to insure another part of mankind could struggle to
make a life which might be free from slavery ….something they knew no man nor
woman should ever have to endure."

The book starts in first person, but as the Heroine becomes deeply involved in her new life, third person takes over with the Author explaining progress between the covers of this authentic Pioneer Tale.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Finally, Pioneers With Purpose is available on NOOK at Barnes & Noble!! A great book to share with your children of a true saga of two families sharing their trek to Indian Territory in 1866.

Follow this URL for the excitement only a real western tale of trials what those pioneer men and women endured so that their prodigy would have a home in a land which allowed religious freedom, the right to free speech and the right to protect your family from all intruders. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pioneers-with-purpose-kathleen-boston-mccune/1118664909
Excerpt:
"It was July of 1861
and Pap had just finished reading the dirty and scribbled note thrown through
our parlor window tied to a rock.It
read:

“If yu valu yer lif yu betr git out a the
Ozarks”

“Perry, where are you when I need you?”
I wondered silently.

We lived in Ozark
County, Missouri just one-half mile from the ArKanzas line.[1] I had just become engaged to Perry Campbell,
the handsomest and most Christian man in my memory and my father’s business
partner’s son in the making and selling of Peach Brandy.

Even though I had just turned twenty-five on November
10th, 1860, barely nine months ago, I did not feel as old as some of
the women here in the Ozark County of Missouri treat me. For most of them any woman over the age of
fourteen who is not married is considered to be an old maid. In our family, until the proper match is made
in which both parents and the intended all agree that the match is right, there
is no marriage. I have to admit I am
more comfortable with our traditions and am glad for rules which make sense and
give guidance for the future.

Both Perry’s and my
families have been helping the slaves escape across the North Fork of the White
River from ArKanzas to freedom in the North and we were now being threatened
with our lives.

Pap said, “We are going to escape as soon as
possible and enlist all of our families’ help, cousins who do not agree with us
are not being told of any of our plans. However,
we are going to stay in Southern Missouri as long as possible to help the
slaves who are trying to find their freedom with precious little help. “

Friday, November 15, 2013

Stewart Douglas Boston has written his second book which is a collection of short stories derived from his experience in the Navy as an Officer of the U.S.S. California CGN-36 which accompanied the Nimitz during the Viet Nam War. His tales share the visits ashore as well as the trials of sailors while at sea, sparing no detail of the pain suffered those who received "Dear Johns" while serving their Country.

This is the
true story of Stewart Douglas Boston born May 8, 1949….short stories of his
childhood, teen years, college years and Navy Boot Camp in San Diego. From there he sees most of the World while on
cruises where he eventually earns the rank of 1st Class Petty
Officer in charge of the engine room aboard the nuclear powered U.S.S.
California CGN-36. Over seven years with
his ship escort to the Nimitz on her starboard side, he and his fellow crewmen
toured and visited England, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Gibraltar, Egypt and
other Northern Africa cities as well as Gitmo on Cuba and other islands. This is a fun read which becomes touching as
he deals with his fellow Sailors when they receive Dear John letters from their
women while at sea where they are unable to deal with them.

A must read
for all Sailors who have spent time at sea and their families who have endured
their absence.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Now available on Amazon: Stewart's new book THE SALINA, KANSAS BOSTON'S is a compendium of the history and current Boston Family from the lineage containing Bostons, Johnsons, Stewarts, Harris', Means, Mott, Weeks, Ross, and Bieri.It is also the memories and Sagas handed down from one generatin to the other from these families when most frightened or enjoying life to its hilt or both.

Many photographs are included showing the family in the 1850s until today which will be of interest to family and friends, but also to those who are interested or related to Scottish, Swedish, Norwegian, English, French or just plain American who are basically just good Christian folks who love one another and their fellow men and women and want what is right and fair for all. family from the 1850s until today and should be of interest to not only family and friends, but also to those who are interested in what has happened to a family comprised of Scottish, Swedish, Norwegian, English, French and just plain Americans who are basically Christian folks who love one another and their fellow men and women.
This is an invitation to share in our family and feel what we have felt over the generations.
ENJOY!!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Ever wonder what the world was like in Kansas and Missouri just before, during and after the Civil War? Now you can take a peek at two families' lives who strove to keep to their Christian training by helping the slaves escape. This book, SERENIA'S KANZAS takes you into this private world and shows how this became for these families' an ultimate sacrifice that stripped them of their own means of living and threw them into a frightening world filled with the unknown, uncivilized Native Americans, and a rough hewn land where one had to start by carving out a house and begin all over again. Here then is an excerpt:

"The path the men
had chosen took them from Rock Springs and would take them to Elm Creek about
lunch time.Then they would have to
cross the Smoky Hill River soon thereafter where the Elm Creek and the Smoky
Hill converged.The land had grasses so tall that they
covered the heads of most men.The main
stands of trees were confirmation of water running amongst their roots.Also, the terrain consisted of rolling hills
which were wide and far apart, wherein an Indian could hide if trying to remain
hidden.It was most beautiful at
daybreak and sunset with colors so vibrant that the best artist would be hard
pressed to recreate the vibrancy of the displays.

About the time
they reached the convergence and were planning to break for lunch they heard
the rumble of an approaching herd of buffalo and then saw their second herd of
buffalo winding their way across Elm Creek as they drank of the waters within. The skies were looking like a storm might be
brewing but they had to await the herd or possibly be stampeded by the dumb
animals.[1]

They stopped
short of the herd and decided to have their lunch while watching the enormous
herd that went as far as the eye could see into the horizon slowly cross this
body of water. When the lunch was over
the beasts were nearly across the stream and where they had crossed, there was
no water. This would be a story to share
with grandchildren in the ages to come, for sure.

The
families had spent an extra hour awaiting the herd’s slow progress and were
glad they were not that far from their goal.
The crossing of the Smoky Hill River was easy with so little water left
from where the buffalo had drunk, leaving mostly just mud to follow to the
other side. There was quite a bit of
mud, but actually more sand than mud and the children begged to walk it,
thinking it safe with the low water level.
Nellie had to explain to the boys about undercurrents and quicksand to
frighten them enough to not want to try this foolish request.

The
fact that the water was gone exactly where the two wagons would be crossing
only made their crossing that much easier.

“We
will have to thank the Lord for this over our meal this evening, Perry.” Ira
offered.

“I
agree. It puts me in mind of Moses
parting the water. It was beyond fortuitous;
it is right up there with miraculous in my book.” Perry agreed, shaking his
head at the immensity of such a miracle."

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About Me

Kathleen B McCune
Author/Analyst
913.709.4128,913.362.6989
kathleenbostonmccune@gmail.com
Mother of two responsible, handsome and productive adults. Christian in deed and spirit. I love life, the World and its' people.